Mower



Jan. 11, 1938. c. L. MEINHOLDT MOWER Filed Jan. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR Char/e: L. Me/Mo/df Q R was a 2 5 a N I ATTORN EY Jan. 11,1938. c, MElNHOLDT 2,105,125

MOWER Filed Jan. 4, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Char/e: Z Me/n/m/oi-ATTOR'NEY Jan. 11, 1938. c. 1.. MEINHOLDT MOWER Filed Jan. 4, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 3 N S. Ma

g N W um w s Q m? ATTORNEY Jan. 11, 1938. c. MEINHOLDT MOWER Filed Jan.4, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 11,

MOWER Charles L. Meinholdt, Topeka. Kama. assignor o! one-fourth to FredP. Martin and one-fourth to Charles H. Martin, both of Topeka, Kane.

Application January 4, 1936, Serial No. 51,570

13 Claims.

its principal object to provide a mower adapted for use in cuttingvegetation along the shoulders, drainage ditches and embankments ofhighways, railways, and other places inaccessible to ordinary powerdriven mowers.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a mower with asickle that can be operated in any lateral angle of inclinationrelatively to the machine; to provide a mower capable of fast and closework; to provide safety means for stopping the mower in case the sickleshould strike an obstruction; to provide flexibility of construction,thereby eliminating binding of the operating mechanism and torsionalstrains on the supporting structure; to provide a mower structure havingsubstantial ground clearance. and yet capable of producing a close cut;and to prom vide a sickle operating mechanism wherein the same relativepositions of the sickle bar and guard are maintained throughout theentire angular range of the sickle.

It is also an important object of the invention to prevent loss oftraction in case one of the wheels encounters a soft or wet place in theground over which the mower is operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sickle and drive unitwhich isadapted for attachment to an ordinary motor vehicle chassis.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I haveprovided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mower embodying the features of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mower. Fig. 3 is an enlargedvertical cross section through the mower on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, 40showing the sickle in horizontal position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the sickle extending at an upward anglerelative to the machine, and showing its maximum upper position indotted lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the universalsuspension of the subframe on the main frame of the mower.

Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line 6-0 of Fig.- 5, illustratingrocking movement of the subframe for tilting the sickle.

Fig. 7 is a detail section through the subframe on the line 'l-'| ofFig. 4, particularly illustrating mounting of the countershaft.

Fig. 8 is a detail section through the shoe por- 65 tion of the sickle,particularly illustratlngmount.

ing of the crank in the pivotal axis of the sickle.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a portion or the main frameillustrating mounting of the bracket whichguidingly retains the sickleside of the subframe. 5

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail elevational view of the clutch control lever andcable mechanism for releasing the clutch incidental to the sicklestriking an obstruction. 10

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-i2, Fig. 7, illustrating theadjustable mounting of the vcountershaft on the subframe for tensioningthe drive belt operating the crank shaft of the sickle.

Fig. 13 is a detail plan view of the guide and 15 release pulleys of theclutch tripping cable.

Fig. llis a similar view showing the release pulley in position fortensioning the trip cable.

Fig. 15 is a section through the guide bracket on the line l5l5 of Fig.9.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a mower constructed in accordance with the presentinvention and which includes a substantially conventional automotivechassis 2 comprising a main frame 3, front and rear axle units 4-5, anda power unit 6. The frame 3 includes longitudinal side members I and 8connected by suitable cross members 9 and a substantially X-shapedcentrally positioned bracing member Ill. The rear axle unit includestraction 6 wheels ii and I2 that are operated from the power unit 8through a conventional transmission consisting of a change speed gearingi3, a driving shaft J4, and a differential mechanism 15, as inconventional automotive vehicle construction. The traction wheels ii andi2 are equipped with the usual brakes actuated from a foot pedal l6through cables or rods l1 and Ill. The front axle unit includes wheelsI9 and 20 that are steered through a suitable linkage with a steeringwheel 40 2| located adjacent the operator's seat 22, the operators seatbeing carried on the side frame 8 and cross member ill at a pointsubstantially midway between the front and rear axle units so that it-islocated directly over the sickle operating mechanism, later described.

The brakes for the wheels II and i2 may be selectively and individuallyoperated from foot pedals 23 and 24, independently of the foot pedal l8,through cables 25 and 26 that are respectively connected with the cablesor rods ll and i8 by means of clamps 21 and 28. Thus when the foot pedal24 is operated, the brake is applied to the wheel l2 and when the footpedal 23 is operated the brake is applied to the wheel s II. This is animportant feature of the present invention since the mower must beoperated in drainage ditches and other places where one of the drivewheels is likely to lose traction, in which case the brake is applied tothat wheel so that all of the power is diverted through the differentialmechanism l5 to the other wheel, thereby permitting the machine to beoperated in places where it could not be moved with the conventionaldifierential drive and brake mechanisms.

The transmission gearing I3 is operated by a conventional gear shiftlever 29, also located ad- Jacent the operator's seat. The gearing l3also includes a power take-ofl' 38 connected therewith and having apower take-ofl' shaft 3i to which the driving mechanism ,of the mower isconnected as later described.

Fixed on the side member 8 of the chassis frame, at a pointsubstantially midway between the axle units, is a bracket 32 (Fig. 3)having a laterally extending portion 33 terminating in a depending arm34 having an annular flange 35 (Fig. 5) surrounding an opening 35 andforming a spherical socket 31. The socket 31 cooperates with asubstantially hemispherical cap member 38 that is fixed to the arm 34 bymeans of bolts 39 extending through the arm and through an annularflange 45 of the cap 38, as best illustrated in Fi 5.

The arm 34 may be suitably braced from the lateral portion 33 of thebracket by web or gusset plates 4I. Located within the substantiallyspherical socket formed by the members 35 and 38 is a ball end 42 of asubframe supporting member 43 that projects through the opening 35. Themember 43 is of circular cross section and extends transversely acrossthe width of the chassis frame so that its free end 44 may be guidinglymounted in a bracket 45 which depends from the side frame member I. Theguide bracket 45 is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, and includes aplate portion 45 overlying the outer side of the frame member I andcarries bolts 41 with their shanks 48 extending through slotted openings49 in the web 58 of the chassis frame member I.

Cooperating with the plate portion 45 and engaging the opposite side ofthe web 58, is a plate 5i through whichthe shanks of the bolts 41 areprojected to mount nuts 52 for clampingly retaining the plates insliding engagement with the web 50. The plate 5! and the plate portion45 of the bracket are yieldingly retained with the bolts 41 located inthe forward ends of the slots 49 by means of a coil spring 53 having oneend fixed to one of the bolts 41 and its opposite end anchored to theweb 58, as indicated at 54. The bracket 45 is thus mounted for limitedlongitudinal movement on the chassis frame against action of the spring53 in a rearward direction for a purpose later described.

The bracket 45 has a depending arm 55 aligning with the depending arm ofthe bracket 32, and is provided with a vertical guide slot 55 to passthe free end 44 of the subframe supporting member 43. The shaft is thussupported for swinging movement in a vertical plane, but is retainedagainst horizontal movement independently of the bracket.

k The free end of the shaft member 43 is adjustably suspended from themain frame by means of a flexible connection 51 that is fixed at one endto a collar 58 mounted on the shaft audits opposite end is fixed to anarm 59 (Fig.

3) that is carried on a rock shaft 55 pivotally supported in a bracket5| on the X member. The rock shaft 58 is operated to raise and lowerthearm 59 by means of a lever 52 that is located adjacent the driver'sseat, and which carries a pawl 53 engageable with a fixed rack segment54 to retain the shaft in set position.

The mower mechanism is carried by a subframe 55 including spacedtransverse channels 55 and 51 connected adjacent the ball end of theshaft 43 by a transverse tubular member 58 which is welded to the upperflanges of the channels 55 and 51, and carries a sleeve 59 weldedthereto and extending transversely thereof to engage over the shaftmember 43. The sleeve 55 is retained against longitudinal movement onthe shaft by means of a stop collar 18 engaging the end thereof, as bestshown in Fig. 4. The free ends of the members 55 and 51 extend beyondthe bracket 45 and carry transversely positioned bearings 1| and 12respectively mounting a crank shaft13 (Fig. 8) and an aligning pivot pinI4. The shaft 13 and pin 14 have forwardly projecting ends 15 and 15 tomount a sickle shoe TI.

The sickle shoe 1! includes a runner 18 having upwardly extendingbrackets 19 and 50 carrying bearing sleeves 8i and 82 for pivotalbearing support on the projecting ends 15 and 15, as best shown in Fig.8. The pin14 includes a head 83 engaging against the end of the bearing12 and has a retaining collar 84 at its opposite end engaging againstthe bearing 82.

The crank shaft 13 is retained in the bearing sleeves II and Bi by meansof a groove pulley 85 (Fig. 8) keyed to a reduced end 55 of the shaftand which has its hub portion 81 hearing against the end face of thebearing H. The opposite end 1 of the crank shaft has a reduced'end 85 towhich is splined a crank member including a disk 89. The disk 89 carriesa wrist pin 90 to which is connected one end of a pitman 91 foroperating a sickle bar, later described.

Adjustably mounted on the ends of the channel members 55 and 5'! of thesubframe, in substantial alignment with the power take-oil shaft 3|, isa transverse sleeve 92 (Fig. 12) having flanges 93 which are fixed tothe upper flanges of the channel members by fastening devices 94extending through slots 95 therein. The sleeve 92 is moved along thesubframe relatively to the pivotal axis of the shoe by means of drawscrews 95 having one of their ends connected with the sleeve while theiropposite ends are extended through openings in angle clips 9'! andadjustably retained by jamb nuts 98 and 99 engaging the respective sidesof the angle clips. The angle clips are rigidly retained on the channelmembers by fastening devices such as bolts Hill. It is thus obvious thatwhen the nuts 98 and 99 are adjusted the sleeve 92 is caused to movealong the subframe to and from the crank shaft.

Fixed to the sleeve 92, substantially midway the ends thereof, is atransversely extending sleeve 183 having pivotal bearing on the shaftmember 43 to pivotally support the outer end of the subframe. Thesubframe is thus mounted for swinging movement on the shaft member 43 tovary the inclination of the sickle shoe relative to the ground.

In order to rock the frame on the shaft, the bearing sleeve 59 carriesan upwardly extending socket I04 in which is mounted a lever I85, thelevel being slidingly retained on a pin I05 extending across the socketand through a suitable 75 opening in the lower end of the lever as shownin Fig- 6.'

The lever I05 carries a lug llll that is normally retained in engagementwith a fixed toothed rack I08 by means of a coil spring I09 mounted inthe socket and engaging against the face of the lever. The lever extendsupwardly from, the socket to adjacent the driver's seat and terminatesin a handle portion I III. When the lever is drawn toward the driver'sseat the lug II" is released from engagement with the rack III! topermit rocking "movement of the subframe. Upon release of the lever, thespring I09 eflects return of the lug IIII into engagement. with therack, teeth to retain the subframe in the desired tilted position.

Rotatably mounted within the sleeve 82 is a countershaft III (Fig. 7)having a projecting end I I2 on which is fixed a grooved pulley I I3aligning with the grooved pulley 85. Operating within the grooves of therespective pulleys is a belt I I4 whereby the crank shaft is driven fromthe countershaft. The opposite end of the countershaft projects from theendof the sleeve and carries a retaining collar II5 to cooperate withthe pulley H3 in preventing longitudinal movement of the shaft withinthe sleeve. Fixed to this end of the shaft is a flexible coupling II6that is connected by means of a telescoping shaft III with the powertake-off shaft 3| through a second universal joint IIO to compensate forthe various tilting positions of the subshaft relative to the powertake-01f.

The sickle is designated II9 (Fig. 1) and in- P cludes a sickle guardI20 having teeth I2I wherein a sickle I22 is reciprocably mounted as inconventional sickle construction. The inner end of the sickle carries aball bracket I23 to which is connected the socket end I24 of" the pitman9| previously mentioned. Owing to the fact that the sickle is mountedfor swinging movement in a vertical plane about the axisof the crankshaft, the ball bracket always retains its same relative spacingtherefrom and consequently the blades of the sickle bar always retaintheir same relative position to the teeth I2I of the guard, regardlessof the inclination angle of the sickle. With the constructionillustrated, the sickle may operate successfully at any angle through arange of substantially 180 from a perpendicular position above the crankshaft to substantially a perpendicular position below the crank shaft,thereby permitting operation of the machine along the sides of banks ordrainage ditches so that the sickle may cut the vegetation growingthereon.

In order to raise the sickle bar to the desired cutting angle, thebearing sleeve BI carries a pulley segment I25 having a groove I26 inwhich lies an operating cable I21 that is fixed to an arm I28 of thesegment, and has its opposite end extending over a pulley I29 rotatablymounted on the bearing sleeve I03 to connect with the depending end Ilflof a rock lever I 3|. The lever I3I is pivotally mounted on a convenientcross member of the chassis frame and includes a pawl I32 for engaging.a fixed rack segment I33, the pawl being operated at the upper end ofthe lever as in the case of the lever 62.

In operating the machine along highways, the sickle is liable to strikesome hidden obstruction and in order to prevent damage to the machine Iprovide mechanism for automatically throwing out the clutch whichconnects the power unit with the transmission gearing, and which isoperated by a pedal lever I48, as now described. Connected with one ofthe bolts 41 at the end of the plate 5| adjacent the spring 53 is acable I35 (Fig.1) operating over a guide pulley I36 on the side frameand over a guide pulley Il'l carried by a bracket Ill thatis fixed tothe X frame of the chassis. The opposite end of the cable connects witha depending arm I36 of the clutch pedal lever and is guided over apulley I40 also fixed to the frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 11.

The cable I25 is of sumcient 'length that the clutch pedal can beoperated by the foot of the operator to disengage the clutch withoutinterference, however when the machine isin operation the cable istensioned by means of a control lever 'I4'I whichls pivotally mounted onthe X frame and carries the groove pulley I40 engageable with the cable,as best shown in Fig. 14. The lever is pivoted on a pin I42 and has anend I43 projecting into convenient reach of the foot of the operator.When the lever is swung into the position shown in Fig. 13 there issufficient slack in the cable to permit free operation of the clutchpedal,

however when it is in the position shown in Fig. 14 the slack is takenup and any movement of the plate 5I and, bracket in a rearward direction'is imparted to the clutch lever through the cable to effectdisengagement of the clutch, for example when the sickle strikes anobstruction.

Upon engaging an obstruction the sickle tends to swing backwardly,swinging the subframe horizontally by reason of its ball and socketconnection with the chassis frame. This movement of thesubframe causesrearward movement of the bracket 55 which draws on the cable to releasethe clutch and stop forward travel of the machine.

When the clutch is operatedby the sickle-it is retained in disengagedposition by means of a notched arm I44 engageable with a detent I45formed'as a part of a fixed bracket I46. The notched arm is rigidlyattached to a foot pedal I4I which in turn is pivotallyconnected withthe free end of the lever I48, as indicated at I49. Thus when theoperator's foot engages the lower portion of the pedal it raises thenotched arm from engagement with the tooth of the with the countershaftIII which in turn drives the crank shaft through the belt connectionII4. Rotation of the crank effects reciprocation of the sickle barthrough the pitman connection 9|. The sickle is then lowered intocutting position by adjusting the hand levers 62 and I3I.

Upon adjusting the hand lever 62, the sickle the same regardless of theangular position thereof relative to the axis of .the crank shaft. Thesubframe may be tilted on the supporting member 43 to adjust the forwardtilt of the sickle by manipulating the lever I. J

Should the sickle strike an obstruction, the sickle bar, including thesubframe, will swing rearwardly on its universal connection to effectrearward movement of the bracket 55 against action of the spring 53.This movement of the bracket draws on the cable I" to effectdisengagement of the clutch and latching of the clutch lever I to stopforward movement of the machine. The operator may then raise the sickleso that it will clear the obstruction. The lever I upon being swung intothe position shown in Fig. 13 relieves tension on the cable I35 so thatthe spring 53 can return the subframe and sickle to its normal positionrelative to the chassis frame. The clutch is then reengaged by pressingthe foot against the lower portion of the pedal I" to raise the notchedarm I from engagement with the tooth I. 'Ihe machine is now continuingits forward" travel and the sickle bar may be lowered to its originalcutting position.

As the machine is moved along, the sickle bar is readily adjusted to thecontour of the ground over which the sickle bar passes by manipulatingthe levers 62, Ill and 0. With the sickle properly adjusted it can bemade to closely follow the ground contour and leave a uniform stubble.Should one of the traction wheels encounter a soft place in the groundand lose its traction, the brake for that wheel may be applied to divertpower to the other wheel through the differential mechanism to continueforward movement of the machine.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a mowerconstruction which is particularly adapted for cutting vegetation alongthe shoulders of drainage ditches andother irregular places alonghighways that are ordinarily inaccessible to power driven mowers.

It is also obvious that due to my improved mounting of the subframerelative to the main chassis frame the machine is very flexible andthere is little likelihood of any torsional strains that may be appliedto the chassis interfering with the smooth operation of the sicklemechanism.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mower, a wheel supported frame, a subframe, means pivotally andswingingly mounting the subframe on the wheel supported frame, means foryieldingly retaining the subframe from swinging movement on the wheelsupported frame, a sickle, means for pivotally mounting the sickle onthe subframe, means for actuating the sickle including means forpropelling the wheeled frame, and means for rendering said actuatingmeans ineffective responsive to swinging movement of the subframe.

2. In a mower, a wheel supported frame, a subframe, a sickle carried bythe subframe, means universally supporting the subframe on the wheeledframe for vertical and horizontal swinging movement relatively to saidwheeled frame, a motor for propelling the wheeled frame, driving meansconnecting the motor with the sickle in cluding a clutch, means fordisengaging said clutch incidental to horizontal swinging movement ofthe subframe, and means for normally retaining the subframe from saidswinging movement.

3. A mower including a wheeled frame, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member having a ball at one endmounted in said socket member, a bracket mounted at the opposite side ofthe frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end of the supportingmember, a subframe mounted on said supporting member, means carried bythe wheeled frame and connected with the supporting member for raisingand lowering the subframe, a sickle carried by the subframe, and meansfor aetuating the sickle.

4. A mower including a wheeled frame, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member having a ball at one endmounted in said socket member, a bracket mounted at the opposite side ofthe frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end of the supportingmember, a subframe mounted on said supporting member, means carried bythe wheeled frame and connected with the supporting member for raisingand lowering the subframe, a sickle actuating means on the subframe, asickle, and means supporting the sickle on the subframe.

5. A mower including a wheeled frame, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member having a ball at one endmounted in said socket member, a bracket mounted at the opposite side ofthe frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end of the supportingmember, a subframe mounted on said supporting member, means carried bythe wheeled frame and connected with the supporting member for raisingand lowering the sub-- frame, a sickle actuating means on the subframe,a sickle, and means supporting the sickle on the subframe for pivotalmovement about the axis of the sickle actuating means.

6. A' mower including a wheeled frame, a

socket member carried at one side of the wheeled frame, a supportingmember having a ball at one end mounted in said socket member, a

bracket mounted at the opposite side of the frame for guidinglysupporting the opposite end of the supportingv member, a subframemounted on said supporting member, means carried by the wheeled frameand connected with the supporting member for raising and lowering thesubframe, a sickle actuating means on the subframe, a sickle, meanssupporting the sickle on the subframe for pivotal movement about theaxis of the sickle actuating means, a motor on the wheeled frame, and aflexible driving means connecting the motor with the sickle actuatingmeans.

7. In a mower, a wheel supported frame, a subframe, a sickle carried bythe subframe, means universally supporting the subframe on the wheeledframe for vertical and horizontal swinging movement relatively tosaidwheeled frame, a motor for propelling the wheeled frame, a drivingmeans connecting the motor with the sickle including a clutch, means fordisengaging said clutch incidental to horizontal swinging movement ofthe subframe, means for yieldingly retaining the subframe from saidswinging movement, and means for retaining the clutch in disengagedposition.

8. A mower including a wheeled frame, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member having a ball at one endmounted in said .socket member, a bracket slidably mounted at theopposite side of the frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end ofthe supporting member, a subframe rains mounted on said supporting memr,mus o ried by the'wheeled frame and co 1% with the supporting member forraising ,ml lowe the subframe, a sickle actuating means on the subframe,a sickle, means support 1 t; the sickle on the subframe for pivotalmovement about the axis of the sickle actuating mr-x a motor on thewheeled frame, driving means including a clutch for connecting the motorin dri 12 relation with the wheeled frame, flexible driving meansconnecting the motor with the sickle acthating means, means foryieldingly resisting movement of the bracket, and 'I, connected with thebracket for disenga d clutch.

9. In combination with a motor propellw chassis, a mower attachmentinclu a frame, means for pivotaily universally moting one side of theframe to one side of the means for guidingly suspending the oppositeside of the frame from the other side of the chassis, a sickle pivotallyconnected with the dad side of said frame, and driving means for thesickle located in the axis of said sickle connection.

10. In combination with a motor propelled chassis, a mower attachmentincluding a frame,

means for pivotally universally mounting one side of the frame to oneside of the c. means for guidingly suspending the opposite side of theframe from the other side of the chassis, a sickle pivotally connectedwith the guided side of said frame, driving means for the sickle locatedin the axis of said sickle connection, means connecting the sickle withthe motor, and

means for disconnecting the motor from drivingrelation with the chassisincidental to swinging movement of said frame in a horizontal direction.

11. In a mower, a wheel supported frame, a subframe, means universallymounting the subframe on the wheel supported frame, a sickle, means foractuating the sickle, means mounting the sickle on the subtrame forpivotal movent about the ams of said actuating means, cans for tiltingsaid sickle, and means for holdi said sickle in cutting position.

12. A mower including a wheeled true, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member ha i ball at one endmounted in said socket memr, a bracket mounted at the opposite side oithe frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end of the supportingmember, a subframe mounted on said supporting member, means carried bythe wheeled frame and connected with the supporting member for raisingand lower the subframe, a sickle carried by the subfr means foractuating the sickle, and means for a said sickle.

13. A mower including a wheeled frame, a socket member carried at oneside of the wheeled frame, a supporting member having a ball at one endmounted in said socket member, a bracket slidably mounted at theopposite side of the frame for guidingly supporting the opposite end ofthe supporting member, a subframe mounted on said supporting member,means carried-by the wheeled frame and connected with the supportingmember for raising and lowering the frame, flexible driving meansconnecting the motor with the sickle actuating means, means foryieldingly resisting movement of the bracket, and means connected withthe bracket for disengaging said clutch.

CHARLES L. usmnonbr.

